Episode 340 of I’ll Drink to That! was released recently. It features Eugenio Jardim, who was the sommelier at Jardiniere in San Francisco for a number of years, and who is now US Ambassador for the Wines of Portugal.

Originally from Brazil, Eugenio Jardim was a sommelier for over a decade and a half in San Francisco. He has plenty to say about the shift that happened as sommeliers pushed away from Big Cali Cab in the 1990s, and towards evocative wines that would complement food, from all over the world. There is plenty of discussion in this interview about a San Francisco that was embracing California cuisine, and what that implied for a changing wine landscape. And there is some perspective about how the role of the sommelier has shifted over time. But what is most enjoyable about this interview overall is Eugenio’s voice, a burnished rasp that brings to mind the burly, expansive tenor of a mature Cornas. There have been a number of memorable voices in IDTT episode history, but this one is surely in the running for most allusive. It is easy to see the influence of Eugenio’s training as both an actor and a tour guide in his ability to conjure up distant places with words. If you want to drive perilous roads in Portugal, blink at the radiant sun of the Priorat, or drink cold beer in Brazil, this interview will have you feeling that you have done all of that, just by listening.

Listen to the stream above, or check it out in iTunes.

I’ll Drink to That is the world’s most listened-to wine podcast, hosted by Levi Dalton. Levi has had a long career working as a sommelier in some of the most distinguished and acclaimed dining rooms in America. He has served wine to guests of Restaurant Daniel, Masa, and Alto, all in Manhattan. Levi has also contributed articles on wine themes to publications such as The Art of Eating, Wine & Spirits magazine, Bon Appetit online, and Eater NY. Check out his pictures on Instagram and follow him on Twitter: @levi_opens_wine